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Kenyan Ministry Joins Push for Telcoms Tax Cuts
by alice 10 Jun '07

10 Jun '07

KenyaN Ministry Joins Push for Telcoms Tax Cuts The ministry of Information and Communications is backing efforts by mobile companies to have taxes levied on the industry reduced. peaking during the ITU's Forum on Telecommunications Regulation in Africa, Information and Communication Minister, Mutahi Kagwe, said there is need for a tax cut. "I think there is a case for it. But of course, you have to balance the need for the reduction and the Government's need for revenue," he said. The forum, hosted by the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) and attended by other Africa regulators, was convened to discuss ways of raising access to telecommunication services, by making it possible for service providers to share network and other common infrastructure. obile telephone operators want tax on mobile calls reduced and excise duty removed. "I am negotiating with my colleague in Treasury to see what can be reduced," he said, but declined to disclose whether the pleas will be factored in this year's budget. That, I will leave to the minister (Finance) but I hope he will consider the proposal," Mr Kagwe said. The idea to encourage sharing of infrastructure is borne out of the realisation that it could lower entry costs for new companies to participate in the telecommunication industry, increasing competition and lowering access costs to users. Infrastructure sharing holds tremendous promise for Africa, where investment in ICT development is yet to match market demand," CCK Director-General John Waweru said. he commission, he disclosed, is in the process of developing a framework to facilitate harmonious infrastructure sharing, and will be out in three weeks. (SOURCE: The Nation )

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TOP STORY FROM BALANCING ACT: GOOGLE APPOINTS WANANCHI'S MUCHERU TO HEAD UP ITS NEW OPERATION
by alice 10 Jun '07

10 Jun '07

TOP STORY: GOOGLE APPOINTS WANANCHI'S MUCHERU TO HEAD UP ITS NEW OPERATION _____________________________________________________________________ Google is moving outside of the continental comfort zones for most global investors, North and South Africa, and is opening its first operation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya has been chosen as the base camp for what is likely to turn into a sub-regional business. It has chosen Joseph Mucheru, former CEO of Wananchi to be its Site Lead- Kenya and although he has barely got his feet under the desk, Russell Southwood spoke to him about what Google might be doing, infrastructure initiatives and Kenya's media and communications bills. Q: With more competitive markets in Kenya, it's an exciting time for anyone in the telecoms and Internet markets there. So why did you leave Wananchi? Strategically, Wananchi is going into building infrastructure. There's no denying there's a huge need for it but I've always had a passion for content and applications. In the past, I've always been dragged into infrastructure to support my web business. Also this is the first time an international content player like Google has entered this market and it's very exciting. And this is another reason I've chosen to work with them. Q: So what's Google want to do? Initially there will be three big things. Firstly, we want to optimise the use of Google applications in the region. We already have a lot of customers in the region but further development of the market is hindered by the absence of an international cable offering cheap bandwidth. Google understands that this is an impediment and is willing to go to the extent of buying international bandwidth that locals don't have to pay the current considerable premium they are. The second thing they want to develop is their Maps product to make sure it has local information that is searchable and useful. The third thing is using Google advertising in ways that can help monetize local content. Lots of people have done local content but most times it's flopped. We hope to show that there's a way of doing advertising that can support content. If we can do this, it will generate jobs and work. But I should say clearly that I've only been with the company a week.. Q: So what's your role? I'll be the Site Lead - Kenya and will lead a whole team. I'll be involved in facilitating all the initiatives going on in the area. The company is massive but works in small teams. So I'll help determine what can be done and be pro-active about making it happen which means I'll be acting in an entrepreneurial way. Q: I hear that Google is also interested in policy issues? Google has an interest in what's happening in terms of policy and has a policy team and they want to have someone in every region. Their concern is to ensure that when policy is made that it benefits all of mankind. So it is willing to support someone who will participate in policy debates. So for example, here in Kenya, that person might look at the media and communications bills and Google would be able to lend its support and bring in its experience of these issues from elsewhere. Q: So as a Kenyan what do you personally make of these two pieces of legislation? I've looked at the Communications Bill and I think that there are certain things that would be disastrous, particularly for e-commerce. For example, it says that you will need to get a licence to get a sub-domain and this cuts right across existing global practice. The second thing is that the Bill says that certification authorities must have licences. In effect, it's saying that for Verisign to be recognised it must get a licence from CCK. Q: What issues are there with the media bill? There's an issue in terms of the registration and deregistration of journalists. I'm happy that's what being suggested would work with the current Government but it would be a great deal less good under a bad Government. Q: How will journalists be registered? The Government will decide on the basis of qualifications and writing if an individual will get a licence to practice as a journalist. There must be a way of monitoring standards but something more like a Media Council needs to be set up to monitor the licensing. Something more like the Law Society of Kenya in relation to lawyers. This would have an independent board but the Government might have a single seat but would be equal to everybody else on that board. Q: I understand that there are also some definitional difficulties with the legislation? Yes, it defines broadcasting as anything that is broadcast speech like radio and moving pictures like television. Currently whether this applies to something like You Tube is very vague. Also on a separate issue, the regulator is required to determine the content of the programming code. We can't expect CCK to do that. We need to be able to review these issues so they don't become monumental.

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monthly forum June 14
by Rebecca Wanjiku 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

you are invited to the monthly forum on June 14th, the theme for this month is Local Content. Michuki Mwangi, from Kenic will give a presesntation on how to promote local content, the various ways, he will also demystify the term local content and show how we can contribute to local content development, Carol Wanjiru will from KOCH Fm will be present to share with us how they are trying to develop content at Koch FM and how its different from other FM stations that contain substantial amount of Hollywood gossip and other foreign programs, the forum will be at Jacaranda starting at 3pm welcome becky Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when.

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[Fwd: KShs 670 Million for Digital Villages Start-up Capital]
by alice 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

_Subject: KShs 670 Million for Digital Villages Start-up Capital_ The Government of Kenya and the World Bank signed an agreement on 23 May 2007 to create a KShs. 670 million Digital Village Fund. This revolving fund will be used to support entrepreneurs (individual and/or group) to establish and manage digital villages countrywide starting from July/August 2007 through the following programs: · Training in business and ICT, · Finance for set-up costs and equipment, · Provision of ICT support services, · Finance for internet connectivity. In addition to the KShs. 670 million start-up capital, more funds are expected from constituency development funds (CDF), government institutions, development partners, and ICT multinationals to create and support more digital village projects throughout the country. Expect the total amount available for digital village facilities to double or triple by end of 2008. In light of all these developments, ICTVillage.com invites and welcomes all ICT and other organizations to support the rapid and successful implementation of Digital Villages throughout the country via the following initiatives; · *Advertise in the Digital Village Directory*, a special section in the next issue of the ICT Village Magazine available in July 2007. Display your products and/or services for only KShs. 36,250/- (half page) or KShs. 72,500/- (full page) to potential digital village entrepreneurs all over the country. · *Exhibit in the ICT Roadshow* which will be visiting Kisumu from 28^th to 30^th June 2007. Showcase your products and services to potential digital village entrepreneurs in Nyanza Province for only KShs. 36,250/- (without shell) or KShs. 72,500/- with 3x3m shell scheme. (All prices VAT Inclusive). Do not miss out on any of these great opportunities to market your ICT-related products and services all over Kenya. Become a Digital Village Supplier and benefit from the KShs. 670 million revolving fund. Please contact us immediately to book an advert in the Digital Village directory and/or to exhibit at the Kisumu ICT Roadshow. Best Regards, Anne Mutugi, General Manager. ------------------------------------ ICTvillage.com - Idea Factory Ltd, The Office Park, Riverside Drive. P O Box 12, Sarit Centre 00606, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-020-4449277/020-4447655. Fax: 254-020-4449210. www.ictvillage.com

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ICANN Meeting in San Juan - 25-29 June 2007
by alice 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

ICANN Meetings in San Juan, Puerto Rico <http://www.icannsanjuan.pr/> *ICANN Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico* *25 - 29 June 2007* *IMPORTANT INFORMATION:* ICANN's 29th International Public Meeting will be held 25-29 June in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The meeting is free to attend, and open to any interested person. ICANN encourages broad participation in its bottom-up consensus-development process. You can take part in these meetings by attending in person, by taking part in the webcast and remote participation opportunities, and/or by joining one of the various ICANN-related mailing lists. The Local Host's Website <http://icannsanjuan.pr/> contains more information about the venue, transportation and hotels. * *Travel Visa Information* <http://icannsanjuan.pr/visa.php> * *Safety Tips* <http://icannsanjuan.pr/personalsafe.php> * *Schedule and Agenda* <http://www.icann.org/meetings/sanjuan/#ScheduleandAgenda> * *Pre-Registration* <http://www.icann.org/meetings/sanjuan/#preregistration> * *Internet Access* <http://www.icann.org/meetings/sanjuan/#InternetAccess> * *Webcast & Remote Participation* <http://www.icann.org/meetings/sanjuan/#webcast> * *Press & Media* <http://www.icann.org/meetings/sanjuan/#press> * *Sponsorship Opportunities* <http://www.icann.org/meetings/sanjuan/#sponsors> *TRAVEL AND VISA INFORMATION* Information relating to Visa's can be obtained from the Local Host's Website <http://icannsanjuan.pr/>. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. U.S. citizens do not need a passport or visa to enter Puerto Rico. For non-U.S. citizens, entry requirements are the same as for the U.S. mainland. To obtain a Formal Letter of Invitation <http://icannsanjuan.pr/invitation.php> to attend the meeting, please visit the Local Host's Website <http://icannsanjuan.pr/>. *SCHEDULE AND AGENDA* Details will be posted as they become available. *PRE-REGISTRATION* Registration for this meeting is now open. Pre-Register Now <http://register.icann.org/> (Pre-registration is not required to attend the meeting.) *SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES* ICANN appreciates the support of the community in providing financial sponsorship for ICANN meetings. This sponsorship is a vital part of enabling ICANN to provide quality programs for meeting attendees. In particular, such generous sponsorship allows ICANN to hold its meetings in geographically diverse locations that allows broader participation across the world's Internet community. ICANN reserves the right not to accept sponsorships from organisations whose missions and activities conflict with ICANN policies. More information about sponsorship opportunities can be found on the Local Host's Website <http://icannsanjuan.pr/sponsors.php>. *WEBCAST AND REMOTE PARTICIPATION INFORMATION* Details will be posted as they become available. Saturday, 23 June 2007 *Time* *Event* 08:00 - 12:00 San Juan ccTLD Policy Workshop - Caribbean ccTLD Community 13:30 - 18:00 San Juan ccTLD Policy Workshop - Caribbean ccTLD Community Sunday, 24 June 2007 *Time* *Event* 09:00 - 11:00 ICANN Board / GAC Joint Working Group (CLOSED) 09:00 - 17:00 North American Region RALO Meeting 09:30 - 17:00 LAC Regional RALO General Assembly 11:15 - 13:00 GAC Working Group on IDN (CLOSED) 13:30 - 14:30 ICANN Roundtable Orientation 14:00 - 15:45 GAC Working Group on IDN (CLOSED) 15:00 - 16:30 Tutorial: IPv6 16:00 - 17:00 ICANN Fellowship Participants Meeting 16:00 - 18:00 GAC Working Group 1: Joint Session with GNSO on WHOIS and New gTLDs (CLOSED) 17:30 - 19:00 Tutorial: Domain Tasting Monday, 25 June 2007 *Time* *Event* 09:00 - 09:45 Welcome Ceremony 10:30 - 11:30 ICANN Public Forum (1) President's Report (2) Report on Budget & Planning Process (3) Comments on President's Report, Budget and Planning Process 11:30 - 13:00 Workshop: Internet Governance 13:30 - 16:00 Workshop: Protection of Registrants 14:00 - 15:45 SSAC Briefing (GAC and ccTLD Operators in Closed Session) 16:00 - 18:00 GAC and ccNSO Joint Meeting on IDN in cc Space 16:30 - 18:00 SSAC Open Meeting 16:00 - 17:00 ICANN Fellowship Participants Meeting 16:00 - 18:00 ICANN Public Forum: GNSO Improvements Tuesday, 26 June 2007 *Time* *Event* 09:00 - 10:45 GAC Working Group on IPv6 (CLOSED) 09:00 - 17:00 gTLD Registries Constituency Meeting 09:00 - 18:00 Registrars Constituency Meeting 09:00 - 17:00 Non-Commercial Users Constituency 09:30 - 17:00 ccNSO Members Meeting 10:00 - 12:00 Cross Constituency Meeting 11:00 - 13:00 GAC Working Group on Reform and Methods of Work (CLOSED) 12:30 - 14:30 Workshop: New GEO-TLDs - More Consumer Choice or More Consumer Confusion? (Co-sponsors: NCUC, At-Large) 14:00 - 16:30 GAC Plenary (CLOSED) 14:00 - 17:00 Intellectual Property Interests Constituency Meeting 14:00 - 17:00 Internet Service and Connectivity Providers Constituency Meeting 14:00 - 16:00 Commercial and Business Users Constituency 14:00 - 17:00 ICANN Fellowship Participants Meeting 14:45 - 18:00 GAC Meeting with the ICANN Board (OPEN SESSION) Wednesday, 27 June 2007 *Time* *Event* 09:00 - TBD ccNSO Members Meeting 17:30 - 19:00 ccNSO Council Meeting 08:30 - 09:00 GAC Program Committee Meeting (CLOSED) 08:30 - 10:30 GNSO Public Forum 09:00 - 13:00 GAC Plenary (CLOSED) 10:30 - 12:30 GNSO Council Meeting 13:00 - 15:30 Workshop: NCUC - gTLDs - Freedom of Expression 14:00 - 16:00 GAC Plenary (CLOSED) 16:00 - 17:00 ICANN Fellowship Participants Meeting 16:00 - 18:00 Workshop: Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs) 19:00 - 23:00 Gala Event Thursday, 28 June 2007 *Time* *Event* 08:00 - 17:00 ccTLD Technical Meeting 08:30 - 13:00 ICANN Public Forum 13:00 - 16:00 Outreach Event at University of San Juan 13:00 - 13:15 North American Region RALO Signing 14:00 - 18:00 At-Large Advisory Committee Meeting 16:00 - 17:00 ICANN Fellowship Participants Meeting Friday, 29 June 2007 *Time* *Event* 08:30 - 13:00 Meeting of the ICANN Board *INTERNET ACCESS* There will be an Internet Lounge. Wireless Internet connectivity (802.11b) will also be available in the main meeting, public areas and in the participant's rooms (only those in the hotel where the conference will be held). *PRESS AND MEDIA INFORMATION* Register with ICANN <http://www.icann.org/press/media-registration.htm> and receive via email a regular report on the ICANN meeting. Information about press and media is also available at the local host's website <http://www.icannsanjuan.pr/pressinform.php>. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Media Bill 2007.
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

Dear All, If you read today's papers, you have everything to worry. It is being alledged that the ICT Bill is worse than the Media Bill and That Government did not consult. I know you all participated in many ICT fora discussing just what is being criticised. After the first reading we have another go at it but not to kill it at inception. I need not tell anyone that this Bill will unlock the ICT potential in this country. Where were these people when you sacrificed your time to have a just legislation in place? On Broadcasting, Kenya has one of the most liberal laws in place. We have tried to have a frequency in Britain, China, the USA on reciprical relations in vain. We toned down stakeholder's requirement on restrictive cross media ownership by adopting South Africa Model but these people want nothing but jungle laws in a democratic country. Since you access internet, please check, there is no country in the world that does not have some sort of media regulation. In fact opponents of these Bills should be asked to name at least one country that has no regulation in media. Regards Ndemo. ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Google names first African Employee]
by alice 07 Jun '07

07 Jun '07

Congratulations Mucheru http://whiteafrican.com/?p=620 Joseph Mucheru has been named the new site lead for Google Kenya. This was whispered to be happening, but at today’s Google lunch at TEDGlobal the position was made official by Francoise Brougher, Director of Google Business Opportunities. This is great news for East Africa and Google. They’re getting one of the true leaders in the ISP space, and someone who has a great deal of experience navigating the many difficult situations that arise in the African IT sector. Congratulations Joseph! (Note: This is Google’s first sub-Saharan Africa employee, not counting a couple sales guys in SA)

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Fw: Greetings
by Florence Etta 07 Jun '07

07 Jun '07

Hi KICTANet list manager/s, Below FYI and action please. Cheers, FE ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: John Matogo <JMatogo(a)strathmore.edu> To: Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> Sent: Thursday, 7 June, 2007 3:05:34 AM Subject: RE: Greetings Greetings Florence I would like to join KICTANet, I believe I joined the mailing list sometime back but I am not sure if I get all the emails. Kindly let me know where I register, to the mailing list. Regards John From: Florence Etta [mailto:feanywhere@yahoo.co.uk] Sent: 07 June 2007 11:06 To: John Matogo Subject: Re: Greetings Thanks a million John. I hope we will keep in contact. I wonder if you will consider it useful to join a network which discusses ICT issues in the country called KICTANet. Cheers, FE Florence Etta P.O. Box 14285 ,00800 Westlands-Nairobi , Kenya Tel: Mobile + 254-733-621851 Terrestrial: + 254-20-7121506 Fax: + 254-20-7125732 Alternative Email: florence.etta(a)gmail.com ----- Original Message ---- From: John Matogo <JMatogo(a)strathmore.edu> To: florence.etta(a)gmail.com Sent: Thursday, 7 June, 2007 10:03:14 AM Subject: Greetings Greetings Florence I trust that you are well. Just a note to greet you and pass my contact information. Kindly find my contact information below. Regards John Matogo Faculty of Information Technology Strathmore University Email: jmatogo(a)strathmore.edu Web: www.strathmore.edu New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive emailing. Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus: play games and win prizes. ___________________________________________________________ Inbox full of unwanted email? Get leading protection and 1GB storage with All New Yahoo! Mail. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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Controversial Media Bill is Amended
by Alex Gakuru 07 Jun '07

07 Jun '07

I just heard it on Nation radio. Waruru and Dr. Ndemo enlighten us on the deal reached. I sure hope the clause on registering journalists was struck off. I stand my ground in support of "Registering journalists is a code word for censorship", because we cannot trust future regimes to be as democratic as the current. Genuine risk of use to suppress "non-journalists" opinions (like me, sometimes). http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?premiumid=0&cate… Gakuru --------------------------------- Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV.

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Autoreply: Controversial Media Bill is Amended
by kfourati＠idrc.ca 07 Jun '07

07 Jun '07

I am currently away from the office. Will reply to your email upon my return on Monday 12 june je suis absent du bureau actuellement. je répondrai à votre message à mon retour le lundi 12 juin

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Re: [kictanet] Google names first African Employee]
by Njeri Rionge 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

CONGRATULATIONS MUCHERU, THIS IS GREAT NEWS.... WELL DONE! THE SKY IS NOT EVEN THE LIMIT.... Njeri, -----Original message----- From: alice alice(a)apc.org Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 04:50:00 +0300 To: njeri.rionge(a)igniteconsulting.co.ke Subject: [kictanet] Google names first African Employee] > Congratulations Mucheru > > http://whiteafrican.com/?p=620 > > > Joseph Mucheru has been named the new site lead for Google Kenya. This > was whispered to be happening, but at today’s Google lunch at TEDGlobal > the position was made official by Francoise Brougher, Director of Google > Business Opportunities. > > This is great news for East Africa and Google. They’re getting one of > the true leaders in the ISP space, and someone who has a great deal of > experience navigating the many difficult situations that arise in the > African IT sector. > > Congratulations Joseph! > > (Note: This is Google’s first sub-Saharan Africa employee, not counting > a couple sales guys in SA) >

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is FOI a milestone for freedom of expression in Kenya?
by Rebecca Wanjiku 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

the MPs are in Mombasa discussing the FOI, i know we are following discussions keenly but here is an analysis by a kenyan journalist which i hope will help shed some light, please read and comment FOI: A MILESTONE FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION By Vincent Lempaa Freedom of Information Policy, if finally becomes a law or a statutory instrument in Kenya will be a big millstone for not only the freedom of expression but freedom to know as well. From the outset it is worth noting that our former colonial masters- United Kingdom published its White Paper on freedom of information in 1997 which eventually became a law in the year 2000 but was fully implemented 2005. The government for the first time in the history of the United Kingdom intended that the citizens should have a legal right to information and the records in which that information is contained. In addition an independent Information commissioner was appointed who is answerable not to parliament but the court. Just like the Kenyan Legal System has been substantively influenced by the English Legal System so is the Kenyas policy document is influenced by the freedom of information act 2000. If the document, as prepared by the Information Ministry becomes a law or a statute it will resemble the English 2000 Act not only in form but also in content. It is expected that if it becomes a statutory instrument, it will supersede the existing documents related to the information in Kenya such as the National Archives and Documentation Act, the Records Disposal Act and the Official Secrets Act. In its preamble, the Access to Information Policy ( 3.1.1) the document is couched in very liberal terms like facilitating citizens with greater communication with public bodies and increasing participation in the Democratic Processes and Nation Building. Indeed citizens will have wider access to information subject to harm test. The document, if it sees the light of parliamentary calendar will definitely open up the processes of government but the harm test as it is applied in the so called liberal democracies is likely to be more strict in Kenya for obvious reasons that ours is a nascent democracy unlike the West. By way of an introduction s. (3.2) states that: There will be some consultation that will not be accessible not to fetter the operation of those institutions. How narrow or wide such clauses will be interpreted can have an equally high degree of fettering the freedom to know. It is to be assumed the meaning to be accorded to such words as public bodies will be as wide as the one used in determining what they really are in the judicial review given the document chooses judicial review remedies as the best to vindicate any infringement on freedom to know. S. (3.6) provides for the procedure of handling application but it is cast in such general terms: application for access to documents shall be handled promptly. How prompt is prompt will be the underlying question is this situation. This is to be compared and contrasted with the specific terms that characterize the English Freedom of Information Act 2000. Request must be in writing and the authority is under duty to respond to the request within 20 working days of its receipt. The provision of s. (3.10.1) is specifically express that private bodies that carry out statutory functions and those that are contracted out by the public organizations are within the bill. This distinction is crucial given the type of problems of interpretation it has continuously created in courts for the purposes of the judicial review remedies. By s (3.11) - The reuse of Public Information. The minister, guessing it is the information minister is given discretion to - issuing regulations regarding access to public information for the purposes of commercial exploitation. How reasonable such discretion will be exercised by the minister is everybodys guess. It would also be better if the bill stated expressly under which circumstances do records become value- less and non current as per the provisions of s (3.13.1) for the purposes of destruction. The provisions on National Security, Defense and International Relations are cut and paste of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and critics and scholars have been at pains with its wide and ambiguity. They have argued that such terms are prone to abuse by the executive arm of the government. In our situation, the Bill does not try to define them and it can only be concluded that parliament will be creating an assailable discretion on the executive to decide on the remits of such words. By s (3.14.4) the freedom of Information Act shall uphold the right of personal privacy. This is to be welcomed as it will protect the vulnerable members of the societies from the excesses of the media in the behest of freedom of expression. On Review and Appeal the Bill is also a copy cut of the FIA 2000. The proposed office of information commissioner is and his powers and functions are akin to those of the same institution as it abstains in England. The Bill, by s. (4.3.4) attempt to oust any parliamentary or executive power upon the commissioner. The provision, good as it sound, raises some constructional questions. The provision that the commissioner will only be answerable to Court hence judiciary ousts the power of the people expressed through elected representative. The judiciary will have control of such an important office and it is not an elected body and in theory they are not answerable to the electorate. On the rights of appeal as per the provision of s (5.4). This section is somewhat ambiguous. It bars individual from appealing against the decision of the information commissioner in Court. One is left wondering whether representative groups are also barred. Besides, Freedom of information is about interests that are normally christened as fundamental rights. Much as judicial review procedures are thorough they have their inherent limitations like the standing locus standi Public and private law exclusivity rules and other strictures as time limitation. As a fundamental right- freedom of expression, the bill would have not limited review to judicial review. Individuals rights and those of representative groups will be better protected if they had several ways of accessing justice like constitutional reference that are not fettered by excessive procedures. By and large Freedom of information Bill as drafted is an ambitious project and when it eventually becomes an act it will a big steps towards much cherished freedom of expression. This will be more so for the so called forth estates that works for gain from processing and disseminating information. There will be more accurate reporting as journalist and editors will base their reports on facts and not speculations. This will in turn reduce the high number of defamation suits that have crippled some of the media houses. However the experience in the United Kingdom shows that this is not likely to happen quickly as the media would like it to be. In the United Kingdom a Bill that was published in 1997 was implemented eights years later 2005. This delay attracted more criticisms that overshadowed the discussion of the content of the Bill Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

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online discussion on The Kenya Communications ( Amendment ) Bill 2007 - introduction
by Muriuki Mureithi 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

Colleagues As you are aware the Kenya Government has at last published the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2007 . The purpose of the Bill published on May 17th , 2007 ( world telecommunications day) is to amend Kenya Communications Act 1998 . The structure of the bill as a follows; Clause 1 - 14 - change of name, new definitions, ICT policy development and promulgation , governance of the sector and constitution of the regulator , fines for contravention of the act Clause 15 - introduces part IVA on broadcasting services - regulation , licensing and revocation , and promotion of local content Clause 16 -29 - enhances penalties of the contravention of the Act, reduce the duration of notice of a grant of licence, refusal to grant or modification, exclude certain classes in the notice of grant of licence Clause 30 . introduces part VIA on information technology - legal recognition of electronic communications, electronic records and electronic transactions , offences . introduces part VIB universal service fund - establishment and operationalisation . introduces part VIC Fair competition and equal treatment - definition of dominant operator , investigation of unfair treatment clause 31 introduces miscellaneous provisions on National communications secretariat, establishment of the advisory councils ( content and universal service), action in the occurrence of an emergency, use of information by an operator, service to CCK etc clause 33 introduces two schedules . fourth schedule - operation of advisory councils - content and advisory . fifth schedule - transitional provisions and proposes to repeal other acts - Kenya broadcasting act, penal code, evidence act , part VII electronic records To understand the implication of the Bill , you need to study the Kenya Communications Act 1998 which is being repealed and the Bill itself . Once enacted the governing law will be information and Communications Act and will have far reaching implications in the sector for the next decade or so. it is therefore important for stakeholders to study the document. KICTAnet facilitated a review of the Kenya Communications Act 1998 last year using the a draft bill prepared by the Ministry of Infocom and developed a report supported by the stakeholders. This document made a number of proposals which were presented to the Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo. Some of the proposals have been included in the Bill As this Bill awaits discussion in parliament , KICTANet wants to facilitate an informed debate on the Bill , these comments are intended to support the evolution of a law to make Kenya effective user of ICT for development .I invite you to read the Kenya Communications Act 1998, the Kenya Communications ( Amendment) Bill 2007 and the proposals by KICTANET as a resource for your comments . The Act and the Bill are available at the government printer and meanwhile we are making arrangements to scan have all documents hosted in a website for ease of access by end of Wednesday . We start the online discussion on Thursday 7th and will start with Clause 1-14 and follow the sequence . In the meantime , we welcome any comments on the structure and the process of online discussion between today and Wednesday 6th Regards Muriuki Mureithi

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resources for Kenya Communications ( Amendment ) Bill 2007 - online discussion
by Muriuki Mureithi 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

Colleagues The relevant resources for the online discussion are at http://www.kictanet.or.ke/documents/ [Muriuki Mureithi]

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Faster registration of firms boosts Kenya
by Alex Gakuru 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

[Business Daily] 06-June-2007: Author Abyssinia Lati Most welcome! <snip> At the State Law Office, RRI initiative is aimed at improving the work environment and raise the level of customer satisfaction by 80 per cent in 100 days. Analysts reckon that improvement of efficiency in key areas of the public service such as the registration of companies and in courts, is critical to the realisation of the Government-driven Vision 2030 that aims at tranforming the country into a middle income economy. Mr Muchemi said installation of an e-filing system that will enable the public to access files on-line was underway at the company registry. The office will host a website that will provide downloadable forms, and also provide an on-line name search facility, he said. <snip> <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1336&Item…> To eliminate ghost companies, we wish the State Law Office even comes up with something even better than UK's http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/ and then this year they will truly deserve No.1 position Public Service Award from the President. Have a laughly online day ;-) Gakuru --------------------------------- Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us.

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Firms Race to Update E. Africa Telecom - New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/technology/AP-Eastern-Afric..
by alice 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

Firms Race to Update E. Africa Telecom - New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/technology/AP-Eastern-Afric... 1 of 3 6/5/07 1:31 PM June 3, 2007 Firms Race to Update E. Africa Telecom By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 5:27 p.m. ET NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Plans to lay an undersea fiber-optic cable off eastern Africa could be the beginning of the end of crackling long-distance calls, slow dial-up Internet connections and universities without e-mail. Four projects are in the works to link 22 eastern, central and southern African countries to the world's network of submarine cables and 21st century communications. They would enable cheaper international calls with no static and fast Internet access. The first cable could be finished as early as March. At the moment, the Indian Ocean's eastern African seabed is the only one in the world without a submarine fiber-optic cable, forcing the region to rely heavily on limited and expensive satellite links. As a result, countries along the coast and in its hinterland have some of the highest communications costs in the world. Even though fiber-optic links would drive down communication costs for businesses and consumers, it also could be a big opportunity for entrepreneurs. ''We think in general that the high price of satellite communication is creating a high price, artificially low demand market and because of that we think there is pent-up demand,'' Brian Herlihy, vice president of New York City-based Herakles Telecom LLC, which is leading one of the projects. A 2005 study by a U.N. task force found that 90 percent of calls between African countries are routed by satellite through Europe or North America at a cost of $400 million a year. Direct calls would be cheaper, though the study did not say by how much. The cost of laying the fiber-optic cable -- stretching up to 8,000 miles along selected points in the Indian Ocean -- is estimated to range from $100 million to $200 million. Individual countries will spend even more laying fiber-optic cables inland and connecting their networks to the submarine cable. State-owned and private African telecommunications companies, the World Bank and other international financial institutions, governments and foreign private investors are funding the projects. The oldest, the four-year-old Eastern Africa Submarine Cable Systems, or EASSy, was conceived by a group of East African businessmen in November 2002. The cable can ''contribute to the expanding intra-Africa trade by providing better communication in the region,'' Abiodun Jagun, a researcher in information communication technologies at the University of Manchester, said in a February paper. Competition among companies rolling out the new cables could drive prices down even further and deliver results faster. Firms Race to Update E. Africa Telecom - New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/technology/AP-Eastern-Afric... 2 of 3 6/5/07 1:31 PM One project would not necessarily cancel another out -- India, for example, has several submarine fiber-optic cables linking it with the international telecom infrastructure. Ethiopia, the most populous country of the region, thinks the rival cables offer it choice and the opportunity to negotiate favorable prices. ''The more alternatives, the better,'' said Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who leads the Horn of Africa nation of 77 million. The landlocked country will be linked to the undersea cable through either neighboring Djibouti or Kenya. Kenya, one of the most dynamic economies in the group, wants to drive down telecommunications costs to tap into the multibillion dollar outsourcing industry and make Kenya an information technology hub, said Bitange Ndemo, the country's information and communications permanent secretary. Kenya's nascent call center business has grown from employing 200 people last year to 3,000 this year, despite relying on expensive satellite-based communications. To get more companies to give their business to Kenyan call centers, the country needs to increase its bandwidth up to 500 megabits per second by year's end and subsidize the cost until a submarine fiber-optic cable is working, Ndemo said. For Kenya, the fiber couldn't come fast enough. The Eastern Africa Submarine Cable Systems project has been held up because of negotiations over its ownership and funding, and debate about whether it will be for-profit. Worried the project was taking too long, Kenya teamed up with the United Arab Emirates telecommunications company Etisalat, and set up the East African Marine Systems, or TEAMS, project in November. Kenya will finance 40 percent of the project, Etisalat 20 percent, and still to be identified private Kenyan investors the remaining 40 percent. Ndemo said that the government will soon invite bids for a company to lay the cable between Kenya's Indian Ocean port of Mombasa and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and have Kenyans connected to it by March 2008. Kenya also remains a participant in the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable Systems project. Meanwhile, a private company -- Kenya Data Networks -- is involved in a third initiative and is negotiating with a subsidiary of the Indian conglomerate, Reliance Group, to lay a cable between Mombasa and near the coast of Yemen. Kenya Data Networks Managing Director Kai Wulff said that his company would not invest in laying cable, only guarantee clients for it. The most recent project is led by U.S.-based Herakles Telecom. In April, the company commissioned a survey of the Indian Ocean and expects its cable to be in place and in use by March 2009. Herlihy, Herakles' vice president, declined to identify the private investors who make up the company. He said the company will not only be laying an undersea cable but also connect major urban areas of Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania. The undersea cable and inland networks, called SEACOM, will cost $300 million, Herlihy said. ''Laying our cable will lead to a low price, high-demand market and change the price paradigm in the region,'' Herlihy said. Firms Race to Update E. Africa Telecom - New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/technology/AP-Eastern-Afric... 3 of 3 6/5/07 1:31 PM Copyright 2007 The Associated Press Privacy Policy Search Corrections RSS First Look Help Contact Us Work for Us Site Map

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[Fwd: kochfm launch]
by alice 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

Hi all kochfm would like to invite you to their official launch on june 16th next Saturday at korogocho community center(chiefs camp)starting from 9 to 5pm.Kochfm is the first ghetto radio station to be started in Kenya.It <http://kenya.it/> broadcast at a radius of 2km on 99.9.Your presence will be highly appreciated.please confirm your attendance via this mail or kochfm(a)gmail.com <Compose?To=kochfm(a)gmail.com>. telephone no 0721612736. Hellen wanjiku kochfm station manager ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get the free Yahoo! toolbar <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48226/*http://new.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/feat…> and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection.

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[Fwd: FW: online discussion on The Kenya Communications ( Amendment ) Bill 2007 - introduction]
by alice 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

Dear all forwarding message from Muruiki Mureithi regarding the Kenya Communications Amendment bill. best alice -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: Muriuki Mureithi [mailto:mureithi@summitstrategies.co.ke] Sent: 05 June 2007 12:44 To: 'Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet' Subject: online discussion on The Kenya Communications ( Amendment ) Bill 2007 - introduction Colleagues As you are aware the Kenya Government has at last published the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2007 . The purpose of the Bill published on May 17th , 2007 ( world telecommunications day) is to amend Kenya Communications Act 1998 . The structure of the bill as a follows; Clause 1 - 14 - change of name, new definitions, ICT policy development and promulgation , governance of the sector and constitution of the regulator , fines for contravention of the act Clause 15 - introduces part IVA on broadcasting services - regulation , licensing and revocation , and promotion of local content Clause 16 -29 - enhances penalties of the contravention of the Act, reduce the duration of notice of a grant of licence, refusal to grant or modification, exclude certain classes in the notice of grant of licence Clause 30 . introduces part VIA on information technology - legal recognition of electronic communications, electronic records and electronic transactions , offences . introduces part VIB universal service fund - establishment and operationalisation . introduces part VIC Fair competition and equal treatment - definition of dominant operator , investigation of unfair treatment clause 31 introduces miscellaneous provisions on National communications secretariat, establishment of the advisory councils ( content and universal service), action in the occurrence of an emergency, use of information by an operator, service to CCK etc clause 33 introduces two schedules . fourth schedule - operation of advisory councils - content and advisory . fifth schedule - transitional provisions and proposes to repeal other acts - Kenya broadcasting act, penal code, evidence act , part VII electronic records To understand the implication of the Bill , you need to study the Kenya Communications Act 1998 which is being repealed and the Bill itself . Once enacted the governing law will be information and Communications Act and will have far reaching implications in the sector for the next decade or so. it is therefore important for stakeholders to study the document. KICTAnet facilitated a review of the Kenya Communications Act 1998 last year using the a draft bill prepared by the Ministry of Infocom and developed a report supported by the stakeholders. This document made a number of proposals which were presented to the Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo. Some of the proposals have been included in the Bill As this Bill awaits discussion in parliament , KICTANet wants to facilitate an informed debate on the Bill , these comments are intended to support the evolution of a law to make Kenya effective user of ICT for development .I invite you to read the Kenya Communications Act 1998, the Kenya Communications ( Amendment) Bill 2007 and the proposals by KICTANET as a resource for your comments . The Act and the Bill are available at the government printer and meanwhile we are making arrangements to scan have all documents hosted in a website for ease of access by end of Wednesday . We start the online discussion on Thursday 7th and will start with Clause 1-14 and follow the sequence . In the meantime , we welcome any comments on the structure and the process of online discussion between today and Wednesday 6th Regards Muriuki Mureithi

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Re: [kictanet] Media Bill
by Wainaina Mungai 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

This debate is now on the right track thanks to Brian, Alice, Dr. Ndemo and Bill; I would ask that the government to consider a structure that gives the media representatives greater visibility in the Media Council and the Advisory Board e.g. having the Chairperson as a member selected by the media or a different model that makes them bodies more "media". Hoping we can all now work to protect the media from government extremes (as the case of Citizen Radio/TV) and protect the people of Kenya from the extremes of a lawless media (as was in the case of blackout given to Martha Karua/Water Ministry and many others). Neither side should be using threats or propaganda. --- Wainaina Mungai Made in Kenya Network P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya. Tel: +254-20-780669 Cell: + 254-722-811171 http://www.madeinkenya.org/ or Community Access Point (Subukia) subukia(a)madeinkenya.org http://www.madeinkenya.org/projects/ictother.php > -------Original Message------- > From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Media Bill > Sent: 21 May '07 22:26 > > Dear all > > In my opinion, the justification for our media bill would be the policy > vacuum in the media sector and an outdated existing legislative > framework characterised by often times conflicting laws with regards to > the access and dissemination of information. > > Therefore the presence of an implementable legislative framework allows > for the establishment of, for example, professional bodies, which > would monitor professional and ethical conduct and practices, while > protecting consumers. The media sector, I am sure does agree that the > absence of self and or co-regulatory measures in the sector would and > has resulted in many governments, ours included, to consider applying > sometimes unfavorable/draconian regulatory measures (we have seen this > played out in in various aspects/instances) in order to protect Kenyans > rights to dignity, privacy, etc > > I would agree and join Brian in urging the media and all stakeholders > including consumer networks to, quoting Brian, " take hold of the > olive leaf extended by this government - and the goodwill that is > present at the Ministry - and ensure that we have a good if not a great > Media Act" > > > > best > alice > Note: The above comment are entirely personal and do not reflect any > position of the organisations I am affiliated with. > > > Brian Longwe wrote: > > To all, > > > > I would like to take a little bit of your "airtime" and lay down a > > slightly different perspective with regards to the Media Bill that is > > under discussion. (Although my comments relate to any Bill that is > > put before Parliament.) > > > > First and foremost my personal position is that I welcome the move to > > put a law in place that governs the 4th estate. On a recent radio > > input I emphasized that any sector law has two sides to it: > > 1) It defines and protects a particular constituent group e.g. > > Communications Industry (Communications Act '98), Childrens Bill etc... > > 2) It protects society and the Kenyan populace in general from harm > > caused by the parties covered under the Act/Bill > > > > Therefore taking these two elements into consideration I would > > encourage that the media fraternity (and all other stakeholders) take > > this opportunity to engage with the process and ensure that we put in > > place a good if not excellent law/Act. > > > > I will give a short story to illustrate my point: > > > > In 1997, the Kenya Communications Bill was published - it aimed to > > regulate, govern and facilitate the growth and development of the > > communications sector. For those of you who recall, the first draft > > was a nightmare and if that is what eventually became the law - we > > would still be living in the dark ages of blind control. > > > > There was a lot of activity surrounding this bill. I remember a > > number of public forum discussions that sought to provide government > > with opportunity to shed light on some of the less clearer parts of > > the bill (i.e. most of it) but also to hear from the public and > > stakeholders what their views and opinions were. The Institute of > > Economic Affairs played a key role in a number of these fora. > > > > Eventually it became abundantly clear that there was a lot of talk > > but very little action. So a group of non-profits, Insitute of > > Economic Affairs, Econews, FemNet and East African Internet > > Association got together and went clause by clause through the draft > > and came up with a very comprehensive set of submissions that > > addressed what we felt were the key/crucial parts of the Bill. > > > > As many of you know, in the commonwealth law system any bill of > > parliament must go through a series of readings. This allows both > > fellow parliamentarians as well as the public to provide input along > > the process. Public input into the process is normally handled by a > > select committee of parliamentarians who are responsible for > > capturing and channeling the inputs into the process and where > > necessary making amendements/changes to the draft. > > > > In our case, we made an appointment to see the House committe - at > > the time chaired by Hon. Shem Ochuodho - and the Chair of the EAIA at > > the. Mr. Suchindranath Aiyer then presented the paper to the House > > Committee. At the end of the presentation our group was > > unceremoniously thrown out (paper, submissions and all). I guess that > > was the governance style of the day (read - KANU). > > > > Nevertheless we didn't give up and decided to use all means possible > > to "squeeze" in our submissions. There were breakfast, lunches and > > cocktails held for parliamentarians - none of which seemed to yield > > much. Eventually it was too late - the Bill had gone for 2nd reading > > - and passed without any changes - now only the Minister and > > President could make any changes. But we didn't give up..... > > > > At the end of the day we were able to find a way of getting the draft > > to the then Minister - Hon. Ntimama. He read through our comments, > > understood all of them and passed them to the Attorney General to > > incorporate. The Kenya Communications Act '98 - which has governed > > our communications sector for the past 9 years consists of almost > > every single point that we had in our draft. As an individual I will > > always have respect and admiration for Ntimama - he was truly > > concerned and focused on this role. > > > > I have told this long story to make one strong point. As a country we > > need good laws to ensure that not only our present - but our future > > and that of our children can be brighter than our present. I would > > strongly encourage the media and all other stakeholders to take hold > > of the olive leaf extended by this government - and the goodwill that > > is present at the Ministry - and ensure that we have a good if not a > > great Media Act. > > > > Regards, > > > > Brian > > > > > > > > On May 21, 2007, at 10:14 AM, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke wrote: > > > > > >> Dear All, > >> I feel compelled to respond to Kanja's surprising response to the > >> Media > >> Bill. Media especially MOA has decided to distort information with > >> blatant > >> disregard of a journalist's cardinal rule (objectivity) to poison the > >> People of Kenya with lies and propaganda; > >> > >> Here are the Facts > >> . > >> The Bill was drafted by stakeholders among then Kanja himself; > >> The content especially on the code of conduct for journalist were > >> transposed from the current code of conduct with the Media Council; > >> All stakeholders were kept informed throughout the stages of the > >> Bill > >> and Kanja as the former Chair of MOA received letters informing him > >> of the > >> progress; > >> The Bill does not seek to control, it simply gives some teeth to the > >> Media council to regulate professional journalists; > >> Regulation is not control (think, we all are free to drive but we > >> must > >> drive on the left hand side); > >> Without regulation you have quacks as journalists who may plunge the > >> country into chaos (just listen to Venacular FM stations to > >> understand why > >> we need professionalism in Journalism and remember what happened > >> with Hope > >> FM); > >> The controversy in the Bill arises from funding. MOA and KUJ did > >> not > >> want to fund the Advisory Board and the Media Council instead they > >> asked > >> the Government to finance; and > >> Government funding comes with certain strings as you all > >> understand and > >> even if you were to fund you will expect the recipient to adhere to > >> certain rules (we have gone through this with the World Bank even > >> though > >> we did not like it). > >> > >> > >> Bitange Ndemo > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ---------------------------------------------- > >> This message has been scanned for viruses and > >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > >> believed to be clean. > >> --------------------------------------------- > >> "easy access to the world" > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/ > >> mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40isisweb.nl > >> > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org >

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Re: [kictanet] Media Bill 2007.
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 04 Jun '07

04 Jun '07

Dear All, The issue as to who sits on the council is a non issue since the bill takes care of different stakeholders and all of those affecting the industry such as: Media Owners Association Kenya Union of Journalists Writer's guild Media Education Trainers Association. They could propose other names as they wish but the bill proposed other stakeholders such as: Law Society of Kenya A representative from the dissabled (because our society for many years has discriminated such groups) A representative from Cotu (Many issues around Media is as a result of poor pay to Journalists which unfortunately leads to corruption) A representative from the Chamber of Commerce Kenya Bankers Association (No specific reason for including it but simply because it is a professional organization) If nobody wants it there then remove it. Please note even as the list is criticised, nobody proposes relevant organizations that ought to be there. Arguments that Journalism should not be equated to other professions since many people write to the papers is baseless. Yes many people contribute but it is the editor who selects what is appropriate for people to read or hear. There is a distinct line between a professional journalist and a contributer. The bill does not impede any person from making contributions. Does it mean that anything we write should be published without editing? Regards Ndemo. > Dear All > I can't say that i have read the media bill,but the little that i have > read in the media is lopsided and based on their side of the story.The > only complains that i keep on hearing in the numerous talkshows that are > aired on the TV only highlights the point that the coposition of the media > council is not good or is made up of people who are not of that > proffession.They dont come up to say anything else about the various > clauses which will hinder their progress or how the government is trying > to oppress them,am not trying to say that its not there but those are the > things which should be highlighted for us to be able to support their > arguments well.One funny thing that came out in one of those talkshows is > that the KUJ was not with the media owners and that the bill would be very > good for the them(KUJ).i believe that the bringing in of models and > comedians as journalist has set the precedence for the government to bring ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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MediaBill2007.pdf - Adobe Reader]
by alice 04 Jun '07

04 Jun '07

Hi all See attached the media bill currently under discussion in PDF format. best alice

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Fwd: KCA (amendment) Bill - Kenya Gazette
by Rebecca Wanjiku 04 Jun '07

04 Jun '07

hi all, here is a copy of the KCA (amendment) bill 2007, will also post to the website in afew days, please read and air your views accordingly, regards becky Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.

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Media Bill 2007.
by mucheru＠wananchi.com 04 Jun '07

04 Jun '07

Bwana PS, I have read today's papers and I do agree with you that we have everything to worry about. This is particularly because in part I agree with the newspaper reports regarding the Communications Amendment Bill. My fear and worry is that this very serious matter is now going to be politicized and we shall not have a soberly thought-out change in our laws. I have to say as one who participated in the policy formulation process am disappointed because most of the recommendations we made and agreed on seem to have been left out in the gazetted bill and things we totally were unhappy about were left in. Basically we have the original draft the government gave without taking our views which we presented into account. Let me give examples; 1) The definition of a broadcaster and broadcasting (page 1205) both paragraphs are vague and ambiguous. Internet Protocol services can be defined as broadcasting (or not). Laws need to be very clear. This has all sorts of implications especially with the convergence of technologies. Which licence an Internet service provider should get is not clear. Today you can watch BBC and CNN news online. YouTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com ) and many other multimedia sites offer video and other services, Radio stations and POD Casts are streamed online. We raised these issues and we were ignored. 2) Certification Authority (page 1236/7) - certification authority. This is very useful for e-commerce and online trading. With the revised legislation, Internationally recognised and globally accepted certification authorities such as Verisign can only be recognised in Kenyan law if they apply for a licence from CCK. E-commerce is also international. This will put Kenya in an Island and with globalisation this is not workable 3) On the top level domain (.ke) (page 1236/7) - Today CCK already regulates KENIC through the sitting on its board and I do not see the need for increased regulation. .ke is faced with competition from other domain names and we must ensure regulation of the same does not discourage it's use. Registrars locally are able to administer top level domains without CCK and this will not change. These are just a few points to explain my point - the list is not exhaustive I would also like to go on record and state in summary that if the Amendments are passed, am afraid the COST of regulation in Kenya will be so high for example CCK will have the obligation to manage and determine suitable content for the country. Secondly, the cost of monitoring and storing all content in Kenya will not only be astronomical but I also believe impractical and will create a significant "grey market" So Bwana PS, what can be done to incorporate some of the recommendations to the otherwise much needed Communications Amendment Bill. -- Joseph Mucheru mucheru(a)wananchi.com > From: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 15:03:12 +0300 (EAT) > To: <mucheru(a)wananchi.com> > Subject: [kictanet] Media Bill 2007. > > Dear All, > If you read today's papers, you have everything to worry. It is being > alledged that the ICT Bill is worse than the Media Bill and That > Government did not consult. I know you all participated in many ICT fora > discussing just what is being criticised. After the first reading we have > another go at it but not to kill it at inception. > > I need not tell anyone that this Bill will unlock the ICT potential in > this country. Where were these people when you sacrificed your time to > have a just legislation in place? > > On Broadcasting, Kenya has one of the most liberal laws in place. We have > tried to have a frequency in Britain, China, the USA on reciprical > relations in vain. We toned down stakeholder's requirement on restrictive > cross media ownership by adopting South Africa Model but these people want > nothing but jungle laws in a democratic country. > > Since you access internet, please check, there is no country in the world > that does not have some sort of media regulation. In fact opponents of > these Bills should be asked to name at least one country that has no > regulation in media. > > Regards > > > Ndemo. > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mucheru%40wananchi.com

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TWO NEW FIBRE CONTENDERS – THIS TIME IT’S SOUTHERN AFRICA
by alice 02 Jun '07

02 Jun '07

TOP STORY FROM BALANCING ACT: TWO NEW FIBRE CONTENDERS – THIS TIME IT’S SOUTHERN AFRICA _____________________________________________________________________ One new major fibre project came into the light of day last week and further details emerged about another. The first is an ambitious initiative to create a Southern African fibre network on the back of the South African Power Pool transmission network: for Expressions of Interest for building it see the Jobs and Opportunities column at the bottom of this week’s issue. The second is WAFS, a Telkom South Africa-managed project that seeks to connect South Africa to Nigeria to relieve capacity problems on SAT3. Russell Southwood investigates. African Dark Fibre Communications Ltd is at an advanced stage of negotiation with the South African Power Pool companies to lay fibre to connect the member countries. In this week’s issue it has issued a request for Expressions of Interest from contractors. Phase 1 of the project is to complete and interconnect the fibre optic networks of three national electricity utilities with one another as well as to a competitive high-capacity undersea cable or equivalent. Phase 1 of the Project is scheduled for completion before the end of 2008. The three companies that to be linked would be South Africa’s Eskom, Zimbabwe’s ZESA and Zambia’s Zesco. The latter two companies are already selling their domestic fibre capacity. A 2001 World Bank study recommended the VSAT communications system with a long-term plan to go over to fibre. The South African Power Pool’s network capacity management system between the three countries is currently handled by VSAT. The fibre across the network would replace the existing VSAT system. Peter Cole, African Dark Fibre Communications said:”Southern Africa is one of the last places on the planet to have access to competitive bandwidth. That’s what we’ll be providing.” The West African Festoon System (WAFS) is a Telkom South Africa-managed project that has already completed its feasibility phase. The WAFS project aims to connect countries along the western coast of Africa from Nigeria to Namibia. At present, only Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and South Africa have signed up although the project’s promoters want to attract telcos in both Namibia and Nigeria to complete the route. The managing agent for the project is Telkom South Africa which will either connect via Botswana (who may become another consortium member) or Namibia. The consortium has already conducted a feasibility study and met in February 2007 to finalise the tendering process for the project. It appears that it will have the same governance structure as the SAT3 cable as well as also being managed by the same company Telkom SA. Prices on the cable have not yet been fixed. One of the purposes of building the cable is to ensure that some of the countries along its route have some redundancy capacity if there is a failure on the SAT3 cable and that inter-African traffic can be moved off of SAT3. Further information was sought from Telkom South Africa but in time-honoured fashion it has not come back to us, not even to say ‘we have nothing to say’. What do those communications people all get paid for? A report on MyADSL last week quotes Department of Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri from her budget speech last week saying that fair access to international submarine cables was key to driving down international bandwidth rates. This follows President Thabo Mbeki saying that low international calling rates were essential for attracting business to South Africa. Matsepe-Casaburri said:“It is Government policy that the cost of access to international connectivity is affordable and that all arrangements regarding access or use of international cables and/or facilities do not unfairly exclude others from use of or access to the cables.” The minister named 1 November 2007 as the date from when the exclusivity provisions contained in the SAT-3 agreement or arrangements entered into shall be declared null and void in South Africa. The minister further said that she directed ICASA to prioritise and urgently prescribe a list of essential facilities, ensuring that the electronic communications facilities connected to the SAT-3 submarine cable can be accessed soon. Is it going to happen this time or should we advise you to watch the horizon for flying pigs? South African politicians seem to talk a good game when it comes to delivering cheaper international bandwidth but thus far – despite being the people that run the country – have delivered nothing. These same politicians seem able to change the CEO of the company but have been powerless all these years to address an issue they say is so pressing. Is it surprising that countries like Kenya are sceptical when the same South African politicians talk commandingly about open access and cheaper fibre in the context of the EASSy protocol? There are also a couple of interesting rumours swirling round the edge of fibre developments on the continent…Firstly, fibre prices in Reunion, the French colony in the Indian Ocean will fall to US$620 a meg at the end of this year. How does that compare to what you’re currently paying? Telkom South Africa customers might wish to ask their supplier how their current charges are distance-related? For the purposes of fair comparison, they might also add that Mauritius Telecom is offering capacity at US$3000 per meg and below for volume. Those working on SAT3 inside Telkom know its prices must come down so when is it going to happen? The second rumour is that Infraco will build a several terabit international fibre in order to address the current pricing deadlock.

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[Fwd: MediaBill2007.pdf - Adobe Reader]]
by alice 01 Jun '07

01 Jun '07

The media bill, attached. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [kictanet] MediaBill2007.pdf - Adobe Reader] Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 12:34:15 +0300 From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Organization: Association for Progressive Communications (APC) To: alice(a)apc.org Hi all See attached the media bill currently under discussion in PDF format. best alice _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org

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